Carpool

Houston has a lot of cars and even more empty seats. We could all get where we want to go a little faster if we filled some of those seats. The tools listed below can help identify people taking similar trips as you so you can share the ride, save time by taking HOV lanes, and save on gas money.

Here are a few tools to help you identify a carpool partner:

A free smartphone app that matches people taking similar trips. Drivers with the Waze app can set up a carpool account that matches them with riders going to a nearby location, and then review potential carpool partner profiles to choose the right match and offer a ride. Those hoping to catch a ride must download the Waze Carpool app, create a profile, and can then begin requesting rides.

Once both parties confirm the ride, the app provides the driver directions to a pick-up and drop-off spot near the rider’s destination. The app lets riders reimburse drivers for gas used during the ride at $0.54/mile per the 2018 IRS standard mileage rate.

An online carpooling service to match people willing to share an empty seat with those in need of a ride. Visit houston-riding.metropia.com and enter your basic trip information; you'll be notified via email when a trip match is made.